Cynthia Jordan of San Angelo warns readers that her historical novel “Pearl” is rated R — which isn’t surprising since it is about oil, cowboys and “ladies of the evening” in San Angelo’s wilder and woollier days.

The stories revolve around Victoria Pearl and her girls at Miss Pearl’s Parlor in San Angelo in 1923. You can read the full prologue to the book at her website, theladypearls.com. The paperback is $20, and an accompanying 14-song CD sells for $15, or buy both as a set for $30 from the website, or get the book at Cactus Books in San Angelo.

Jordan’s biography includes writing the 1983 hit country song “Jose Cuervo (you are a friend of mine)” as well as a number of piano CDs. Learn more about her music at cynthiamusic.com. The author is available for programs; call her at 325-942-6757.

Way, who lives in Ransom Canyon east of Lubbock, says his mystery (Tate Publishing, $20.99 paperback) “has no profanity, no vulgarity or shocking scenes,” but it is “full of excitement and intrigue.”

He says he has eight other novels on the market as well. Check his website at lyleaway.com.

No Periods: Austin writer Peter LaSalle’s novel, “Mariposa’s Song” (Texas Tech University Press, $24.95 hardcover) concerns 20-year-old Mariposa, who works at a shabby night club in Austin after entering the U.S. from Honduras via Mexico, without documentation. The 144-page story, which deals with the difficult choices undocumented workers must face, is told in a most unusual style, without a single period, even at the end of the book.

The publisher notes that “Mariposa’s Song” is “written as a single book-length sentence.” Each section begins with “ ... and” and concludes with “and ...” and the only paragraph indentions are at the section breaks.

Journey of Discovery: It was Harold’s idea, not Dorothy Faye’s, to give away their furniture, quit their jobs, buy a 28-foot travel trailer, and hit the road. It was Harold’s idea, too, that by posing as hospital visitors, perhaps they could park their trailer for free in hospital parking lots.

All of it was Harold’s idea, but Dorothy Faye makes the most of it, keeping a daily journal of their adventure. You can follow Harold and Dorothy Faye’s journey of discovery, set in the summer of 2000, in Teddy Jones’ novel, “Halfwide” ($14 paperback, $2.99 e-book). Read more at tjoneswrites.com.

Glenn Dromgoole writes about Texas books and authors. Contact him at g.dromgoole@suddenlink.net.